Did Golden State blow a chance to pull off the biggest upset in NBA playoff history by not delivering the knockout blow Tuesday night? The Warriors led by nine points in the closing minutes, but they were unable to score again after taking that lead as Dallas went on a 15-0 run to close out the game living to see another day. Dirk Nowitzky scored 12 of those points and finally looked like the MVP-caliber player in the playoffs that he was in the regular season.
Despite the Warriors’ dominance of the Mavs, Golden State remains a 2.5-point underdog as the series shifts back to Oakland for game 6. Can Golden State pull off the unthinkable getting another chance in front of its home fans Thursday night? I’ll let you be the judge.
After Dallas came back in game 2 with a win, many analysts expected the Warriors to fold. However, they responded with back-to-back home court victories. So if you think that Golden State is about to roll over after Tuesday night’s loss, you may have another thing coming. Golden State's confidence against Dallas doesn't stem from a playoff victory in game 1. It stems from sweeping the Mavs in the regular season. It stems from having a coach that knows the Mavs and its personnel better than any other mind in the game.
With that being said, Dirk Nowitzky’s outburst in the final minutes could have done Golden State in. Nellie’s schemes have held Dirk in check, but he got to the foul line in game 5, and he delivered in the clutch. So perhaps the Warriors finally woke a sleeping giant. Just last season, the LA Lakers had the Phoenix Suns down 3-1 in the opening round in a series that had a very similar feel to it as this one does. The room to breathe that LA gave Phoenix in game 5 ironically led to be the Lakers’ playoff fatality.
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While Dallas lost the other three games in the series trying to play its style, the Mavs ran with Golden State in game 5 proving that they can beat the Warriors at their own game. Is this our clue to who wins game 6 now knowing that Dallas has shown that it can run and gun with the Warriors and be successful? Linemakers know the public should flock to Golden State catching points at home in game 6. Does this fishy line suggest that we should be on Dallas?
I’ve given you several key questions to ask yourselves that should help aid you in picking your game 6 winner. My best prediction for game 6 is to get ready for a dog fight.
Point-Spreads.com contributing sports expert Jimmy Boyd of Locksmith Sports is the most consistent handicapper across all sports that the industry has to offer. A consistent winner and profit maker in the NFL, NBA, college football, NCAA basketball, baseball and golf for the last eight years who provides in depth analysis with all of his selections so clients know the effort he has gone to in coming up with his selections.
